US names new ambassador to Australia

Bishop assured US envoy vacancy a priority0:57

April 27, 2018. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop speaks to media in Sydney on Friday. Ms Bishop says she spoke with new US secretary of state Mike Pompeo just hours after he was appointed to the role. "Secretary Pompeo also took the opportunity to reassure me that the appointment of a US ambassador to Australia was one of his highest priorities," Ms Bishop says. (AAP video/Rebecca Gredley)

April 27th 2018

a year ago

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US President Donald Trump has named a new US ambassador for Australia. Picture: Jim Watson/AFPSource:AFP

A FORMER legal adviser to Ronald Reagan has been nominated as the next United States ambassador to Australia.

US President Donald Trump has nominated distinguished lawyer Arthur Culvahouse Jr to fill the post vacated by John Berry in September 2016.

A White House statement issued on Tuesday said 70-year-old Mr Culvahouse, from Tennessee, is currently chair emeritus to O’Melveny & Myers, an international law firm.

He previously served as counsel to President Ronald Reagan and has been on a range of boards and commissions.

President Trump hired Mr Culvahouse to vet his election running mate.

It was confirmed in April that Admiral Harry Harris, who was initially earmarked to take on the ambassador role in Canberra, was to instead be posted as US envoy to South Korea.